Philip Hammond denies being ‘enfeebled’ by cabinet leaks

British Chancellor Philip Hammond said Tuesday he did not feel under extra pressure despite a series of damaging leaks orchestrated by cabinet colleagues.

Speaking in parliament, he dismissed mocking from Labour MP Peter Dowd that he was losing the intra-cabinet fight, saying: “I don’t know what planet he lives on but I don’t feel particularly enfeebled."

Reports in the weekend papers said the chancellor had argued that public sector workers were "overpaid" and that "even" a woman could drive a train. Hammond denied the latter comment and said the former was taken out of context. The chancellor has claimed he is being targeted for his softer stance on Brexit

Theresa May began Tuesday morning’s cabinet briefing with a reprimand for her squabbling cabinet ministers. According to the her official spokesman, May told ministers it was vital their discussions remained private, and that briefings and counter-briefings were a sign that some had not taken their responsibilities in government seriously enough.

May told colleagues there was “a need to show strength and unity as a country and that starts around the Cabinet table.”